New Reviews by Title: K-O

Natalie Naudus puts listeners under her spell as she delivers this romantasy. Certainty Bulrush longs to become a mage and make her family proud, but her six years as an apprentice haven't revealed any major magical talents--aside from talking to objects. Her unique skill becomes essential, however, when she's assigned to help transport an abundance of magical items to a... Read More

Narrator Jennifer Walden chronicles the early lives of prominent winter Olympians in a matter-of-fact tone that fits this audiobook. Walden smoothly navigates from one biography to the next, introducing young listeners to athletes such as Lindsey Vonn, Johnny Weir, Kristi Yamaguchi, Shani Davis, Michelle Kwan, Apolo Ohno, and more. The focus on the Olympians' childhood stories... Read More

Moira Quirk's narration of this fantasy is outstanding. To avenge her brother's death 13 years ago, Lyssa has been hunting and killing as many fairies as she can find. But the beast that actually killed her brother has been elusive. Then she meets Alderic, who might have what she needs to track it down. Quirk captures Lyssa's persona--all rough edges and traces of... Read More

Narrator Molly Secours' attitude is perfect for the Ferguson brothers' third tongue-in-cheek comedic whodunit. TV star Miranda Abbott and her not-so-ex-husband, Edgar, are co-owners of the Happy Rock bookstore, I Only Read Murders. They're hosting the First Annual Happy Rock Mystery Writers Festival for some of the rockstars of the mystery writing world. Secours smoothly... Read More

Author/narrator Sophie Lucido Johnson brings a conversational tone to her discussion of the importance of close relationships beyond family. Her direct and personal tone, steady pacing, and approachable rhythm guide listeners through reported stories, research, and lived experience. Her easy-sounding narration suits the audiobook's blend of analyses and anecdotes as she shifts... Read More

Golden Voice Soneela Nankani delivers her usual superb narration. Five centuries after humans, with the assistance of aliens, left the overpopulated Earth, an oppressive empire rules on Newearth. Fen has just learned that her fathers have been killed in prison, so she sets out to do what they tried to: join the rebellion. She pairs up with Alekhai, the sovereign's younger... Read More

Tune your ear to a rap beat and prepare for a great listen. It's 1999, and Pernell, a failing high school student, uses a pen recorder to capture his thoughts for posterity in case the Y2K hysteria is true and civilization collapses. Author and narrator Idris Goodwin showcases the personalities of Pernell's caring parents and friends, as well as an antagonistic teacher, through... Read More

This is the bizarre story of an earnest young man who is a magnet for serious trouble. Arthur Oakes is a walking disaster who meets up with an ancient evil he can't comprehend. The narrators, including "Star Trek" actor Kate Mulgrew, beautifully deliver the ugly story. Oakes is forced to steal rare books from the college library where he works to prevent criminals from hurting... Read More

In this lavishly produced apocalyptic full-cast chronicle from DC Comics' multiverse, it seems like there are more antiheroes than superheroes. The Justice League has stepped into the shadows, and a new generation of reckless thugs is taking advantage of the mortals they're supposed to protect. When Kansas is decimated by a nuclear disaster, Superman, Wonder Woman, and... Read More

Author Daniel Nayeri voices his story of a grandmother who is guiding her grandchild through the steps of weaving a traditional Persian rug. The eager child tells the story with an eye toward creating the perfect rug, but Grandma encourages her young assistant to recognize that perfection is not the goal. Instead, the rug needs to be right for its purpose. Young listeners... Read More

Moira Quirk charms in this first adult romance from YA author Lee. Harriet Lockhart, an actor in a Sapphic theater company, discovers that she and her brother are the illegitimate sons of the prince regent. He offers them inheritances, but Harry's is contingent upon her marrying an acceptable husband. Emily Sergeant is also in London looking for a husband so that she won't have... Read More

Andrew Miller narrates his newest audiobook, which was a finalist for this year's Booker Prize. Set during England's great winter freeze of 1962-1963, this ambitious story focuses on two married couples who are neighbors in a village. Eric is a doctor married to Irene, a former society girl, while Bill, an inexperienced farmer, is with Rita, a working-class girl with a... Read More

First, narrator Hillary Huber delivers a short profile by official Harper Lee biographer Casey Cep. Then, award-winning actor Ellen Burstyn performs stories, essays, and articles by Lee, some of which were published in leading magazines of her day. These latter works, some clearly early drafts, are narrated in Burstyn's sharp, expressive voice and feature many of the characters... Read More

David Sadzin accomplishes something notable with his narration: He conveys the intricate details with clarity and precision. Acclaimed novelist Wideman's essays, book reviews, and cultural critiques are collected here. Passages about his experiences as a Black child learning the unwritten rules of white culture share space with reviews and critiques of writing and cultural and... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Dominic Hoffman narrates his own short story collection with a vocal swagger. His rambling tales, which sound like fever dreams, hook the listener right away. Hoffman's deep, steady voice complements his wily main characters, mostly Black men who are doing their best to navigate an uncertain world. Hoffman is a seasoned actor, and his narration has a... Read More

Amber McBride's narration of her novel paints a picture of careful, rule-abiding 17-year-old Gospel, a Keeper who lives in the Leaving Room. She's responsible for helping young souls transition between life and death. McBride's precise delivery echoes her stunning images of evocative memories and settings. Gradually, McBride's narration is colored with questioning as Gospel... Read More

Listeners are in for a treat as this audiobook recounts the exploits of the legendary Saint Valentine; his blind lover, Agatha; and a cast of characters voiced by 20 narrators. Standout performances from Ryan Haugen as Valentine and Wayne LeGette as Emperor Gallienus anchor the ensemble with clear character distinctions and expressive deliveries that guide listeners through the... Read More

When principal Harold Medburn is found dead at the school Halloween party, no one seems terribly sorry. Medburn delighted in keeping his teachers under his thumb with meanness and blackmail. This is the first in an older Cleeves series featuring Inspector Stephen Ramsay and previously only available on audio in the UK. Narrator Simon Mattacks is terrific at setting the local... Read More

Marking the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's birth, author and narrator Chris Matthews makes the case for ways that RFK's ideals are relevant to today's sociopolitical climate. Matthews touches on broad topics like peace, law enforcement, and courage, and Matthews's readings of Kennedy's actual speeches are included. Well known for his expertise on the Kennedy family,... Read More

Narrators Angela Pean and Tyla Collier team up to tell the story of Kenya and Liberty, two look-alike sixth-grade girls who discover that they're long-lost twins after getting into a spat at school. Now Kenya and Liberty are determined to bring their family together by playing matchmaker with Kenya's father and Liberty's foster mom. Pean and Collier perfectly juxtapose the... Read More

Narrator Louisa Zhu introduces listeners to four librarians who work together at a public library in Austen. The game night held on Hazel Lee's second day on the job seems to go well--that is, until police arrive to question staff about the murder of an attendee. After another patron is killed, the librarians uncover threads that implicate one of them. To avoid being arrested,... Read More

Caroline Hewitt utilizes her fluency in English and French to great effect in narrating this tale of a magical library that provides its users with the book they need most. When one of the library's books goes missing, Eleanor and Daniel, two former classmates, team up to find it. As their search takes them from Boston to Paris, each character has a distinguishable voice,... Read More

Three early stories by Virginia Woolf are rich in phrases and imagery. Narrator Amy Scanlon lets Woolf's legendary way with words and syntax shine. While the sentences meander as broadly as the scenes they construct, diction is front and center throughout the audiobook. Scanlon's performance suggests a similar affection for the written word. Her energetic delivery fairly... Read More

Rebecca Lowman's measured rhythm and inviting tone perfectly transform these 17 long-form essays into an engrossing listening experience. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert focuses on the environmental devastation wrought upon Earth by human activity, particularly our use of fossil fuels. Kolbert imparts a sense of amazement at the aspects of our "little-known... Read More

Narrator Mark Elstob embodies the idiosyncrasies of George McGlory, a widower of a certain age in Bedford, England. Visiting his wife's grave, George notices a lonely "council funeral" attended by no mourners. Inspired, George works with a local florist along with a reporter, undertaker, council member, and fellow librarian to shine a light on the forgotten deceased. Elstob... Read More

Ina Barrón, Jay Myers, and Mirai perform the story of a quantum physicist; his wife, an artist; and the dangerous nature of memory. When Noah, portrayed by Myers, is hired to work for the Janus Project, he soon discovers that a paper he wrote in college has opened the door to time-travel research and the opportunity to see his late daughter again. As his second wife, Maya,... Read More

Immersive and imaginative storytelling is enlivened by narrators Lindsey Dorcus and Mara Wilson. After Charlie's sister dies, her ability to see the dead leads her into a Chicago way station for souls beneath Lake Michigan. There, she becomes caught up in a struggle for humanity between the station's ferryman; his daughter, Nera, a ferryman-in-training; and an imprisoned demon.... Read More

A U.S. entrepreneur and former member of a Swiss special forces unit offers an exceptional guide for seasoned executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders in any organization. Sam Goodner narrates in a professional-sounding tone. His deliberate pacing and audible connection with his ideas work well to engage listeners. Goodner's performance, along with his impressive backstory of... Read More

Mesmi Chu's adorable portrayal of twins Ling and Ting creates a bubbly, engaging performance. Playful dialogue and pun-filled jokes fill the story as the Chinese American twins prepare for the Lunar New Year. Chu's winsome delivery helps explain the traditions, superstitions, and customs surrounding this important celebration, such as the significance of the color red, the... Read More

Isabelle Turner narrates this delightful and hilarious workplace romance. Scout Porter is the head engineer at BuzzCorp, a sex toy startup; she just happens to be a virgin and has sworn off love for good after a disastrous relationship. Scout is determined to stay focused on her team's upcoming launch. To do this, she'll enlist the help of charming Hudson Bailey, the nerdy... Read More

Narrator Abigail Reno returns listeners to the small town of Spanish Fort, Texas, at Christmastime for the romance that blossoms between Willa Rose Gibson and leather worker Tripp Callahan. The pair meet when Tripp hires Willa Rose's father to work in his leather shop. Willa Rose has some doubts about moving to a new town, and Reno captures her trepidation. She also brings just... Read More

Soneela Nankani surrounds listeners with the warmth of Toronto's Christmas festivities as she portrays the romance between two Muslim Canadians. Ruby meets Rashid at a Christmas tree lot and finds him to be a sullen Grinch. But Rashid's persona changes as he and Ruby communicate honestly and agree to Christmas outings with his two nieces. Ruby's dedication to holiday traditions... Read More

Helen Laser tells the story of protagonist Catharine West with emotional restraint through her tempo and pacing. West's mysterious past on a commune in central Florida run by her unstable dad unspools in alternating chapters entitled "Then" and "Now." West's pathological father created and ran a utopian farm community--a misbegotten cult--that he controlled totally and... Read More

Peter Noble coolly performs this twisty crime novel. Using a narrative tone that is distant and objective, he still manages to inhabit each character, providing credible male and female voices while instilling each with appropriate emotion. In this story filled with betrayals, secrets, and stunning surprises, he handles the Scandinavian pronunciations with ease. The... Read More

Pun Bandhu narrates most of this unique cyberpunk reimagining of "The Great Gatsby." The year is 2075, and Nick Carraway is an expert cyberspace diver. His new contract brings him to New York, where he meets up with his cousin, Daisy; her abrasive husband, Tom; and Daisy's friend, Jordan. Nick poses as Jay Gatsby's newest Gen Wealth employee so he can investigate the... Read More

John Sackville's gently authoritative narration draws listeners in as Adam Weymouth retraces the 2011 cross-country journey of Slavc, a young male wolf who moves from Slovenia through Austria and into Italy. Species coexistence is explored through the lenses of deeply entrenched cultural attitudes, the viability of rural communities, government-led conservation efforts, and... Read More

Sneha Mathan soothingly delivers a love story between two writers who are divided by family, geography, and melancholy. Sonia, who writes short stories, is first plagued by loneliness at school in Vermont. Sunny, a journalist, is troubled by the dissonance in his life. An attempt by Sonia's family to match the two is foiled by Sunny's mother, an act that only postpones a fated... Read More

Audie Award-winning narrator Will Patton animates this 40-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner, which has become the archetypal Western novel. A contingent of former Texas Rangers, cowboys, and others are driving stolen Mexican cattle north to Montana. The trip is long and arduous. Along the way, they endure ornery cattle; wild rivers; sudden storms; and attacks by bandits, renegade... Read More

The snowy Pyrenees provide a stark setting for this spare audiobook. Following a confrontation, Miquel's mother goes missing. The novella examines the effects of this life-altering event, as well as the family's complex bonds. Gerard Doyle's performance is direct, clear, and well suited to the simplicity of Tóibín's prose. Sometimes his pace falters, especially in the... Read More

Obama candidly shares how she worked to define, control, and project her own identity as first lady by carefully choosing fashion collaborators who understood the pressures of public life and the scrutiny she faced. Farah Jasmine Griffin opens with a foreword that frames Obama's style within a historical and cultural context and highlights its lasting significance. Meredith... Read More

Author Vieta chronicles her efforts to return stolen antiquities to Italy. Lisa Flanagan helps create an atmosphere worthy of a mystery novel with a narration that carries the story along nicely for listeners, adding to the drama by varying her tone and conveying surprise, outrage, or suspense. The author is a journalist, and her writing style adapts well to audio. She uses... Read More

Narrator Victoria Villarreal lends her impressive vocal talents to the conclusion of the Los Monstruos trilogy. In the magical South Texas town of Tres Leches, Ava, daughter of La Lechuza, wishes her mother would spend more time with her instead of sleeping all day and flying around at night, righting the wrongs of the world. When her mother is arrested for allegedly kidnapping... Read More

British actor Lucy Rayner narrates Shapiro's novel with reverence for the subject and empathy for protagonist Tamara, a young woman thrust into an international scandal involving the Nazi theft of douard Manet's painting "The Luncheon Party." The action switches between the present and the lush world of the 19th-century French art world, featuring luminaries such as Manet,... Read More

This audiobook is honest, accessible, and quietly inspiring with its portrayal of perseverance and reinvention. Greta Morgan writes about her rise in the music industry and and her heartfelt journey upon losing her singing voice to spasmodic dysphonia after a bout of COVID-19 in 2020. Becky Levi's narration supports the material with an amiable performance that suits Morgan's... Read More

Lipica Shah's stirring narration of this YA biography showcases Emma Goldman's unshakable commitment to improving the lives of the oppressed. In 1885, Goldman immigrated to the U.S. from czarist Russia and became an ardent anarchist. A prolific writer and inspirational speaker, she gave hundreds of well-attended speeches each year. When quoting Goldman, Shah exudes the... Read More

Narrator Karissa Vacker delights listeners with this contemporary romance involving a brother's best friend. When Beth Lundberg flies with pilot George Bunsen, she's instantly turned on. However, when that first flight with George ends in an emergency landing, she's a bit mortified at her little crush on him. Nonetheless, when he offers her discounted flying lessons, Beth can't... Read More

Mark Malkoff enthusiastically delivers decades of research and candid stories about his idol--late-night television host and comedian Johnny Carson. Malkoff's behind-the-scenes look at the hard work and dedication of this cultural icon is thorough and engaging. Over the course of his tenure as host of "The Tonight Show" (1962-1992), Carson interviewed more than 25,000 guests... Read More

In a somber performance, Sue Jean Kim delivers this collection of 10 dystopian short stories that explore climate disaster in the near future. Her quiet delivery captures a deep human longing for connection, love, and meaning. Standout stories include "Biodome," in which New Seoul is enclosed under a protective dome to shield residents from toxic air pollution, and "Older... Read More

Narrator Jim Frangione returns the listener to Caldwell, New York, where vampires live, unbeknownst to humans. When Lyric, a female vampire, is saved from a flying billboard by a stranger named Devlin, sparks fly between them. Yet vampires are being hunted by "lessers," humans without souls, who want to kill them. Lyric's family helps fight the lessers, and Frangione ratchets... Read More

With the right amount of spice and vigor, Telly Leung gives a spirited performance of this humorous story of Chinese American family dynamics. The wealthy Sun family has a rich lineage but no current heir to their name and successful family business. When the matriarch selects her nephew Wayward--who everyone knows is gay--to father a male heir, family scandals, conflict, and... Read More

Kevin R. Free's strong narrative voice draws listeners into this absorbing tale of magic and intrigue. Lewis Dixon, a struggling American painter, faces a life-changing crossroads in the aftermath of his mother's death. He's offered a deal by the British Museum: In exchange for locating and destroying his great-grandfather's malevolent paintings, the museum's team of... Read More

Susan Bennett offers a chilling, melancholy performance as a 1950s mother and homemaker whose life unravels. Lulu desperately wants to conform to the dedicated lifestyles of the other wives in order to be a perfect wife, mother, and hostess. But as Lulu's daily repetitive schedule becomes oppressive, she slips away from reality. Bennett depicts Lulu's gradual transformation... Read More

Nikki Massoud's strong performance complements this audiobook, which is inspired by the legend of the Golem of Prague. When Malka's mother is falsely accused of murder, Malka embarks on a quest to save her from execution by retrieving the Rayga, a malevolent, bloodthirsty forest creature who preys on Jewish women. In the deadly forest she encounters Nimrah, a golem who is duty... Read More

This audiobook pulls back the layers of baseball's problems and recommends solutions. It's narrated by author Leavy, a passionate fan and longtime baseball writer who is known for biographies of some of the game's greats. Listeners will hear about a sport that has become overly statistical and overanalyzing. Leavy's voice--literally and writing-wise--is perfect; she brings an... Read More

Khaya Fraites and William DeMeritt perform this Southern short story collection full of rich characters with a lot of heart. Moore's stories feature settings that range from mountain hollers to sprawling cities. In one, a deaconess is tempted to sin, and in another a young Texan is determined to marry despite a family curse. In every work, Moore illuminates the lives of Black... Read More

Al Kessel delivers an efficient narration of Todd James Pierce's deep dive into the music of 1964's highest grossing movie, "Mary Poppins," featuring Julie Andrews as the musical English nanny and Dick Van Dyke as the charming chimney sweep. Pierce profiles the two obscure songwriters, brothers Richard and Robert Sherman, who wrote nearly all the music and lyrics at Walt's... Read More

Ibram X. Kendi narrates his well-researched biography of Malcolm X 100 years after Malcolm's birth. Kendi vividly shares Malcolm's family's difficulties and his flamboyant clothing and partying before he joined the Nation of Islam and began working directly with its leader, Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm's disillusionment is palpable after he observes Muhammad going against his own... Read More

Only author Roy Wood Jr. could have imbued this narration with such empathy as he unflinchingly tells his life story, a cautionary tale for his newborn son. The comedian and actor recounts his complicated relationship with his own, mostly absent, father--a civil rights leader and respected radio announcer with another family who never divorced Wood's mother. She forced her... Read More

The author and executive coach Melody Wilding narrates this helpful guide with low-key certitude that makes her ideas and suggestions sound empowering. With her vocal friendliness and relaxed pacing, she sounds like a knowledgeable teacher with a big heart. Her performance makes this an easy lesson to hear and absorb. The strategies she offers, illustrated with practical... Read More

Narrator Stacy Gonzalez delivers a nuanced and affecting performance of Dolores Moore's search for identity as the sole surviving member of her family. Raised by her biological aunt and her partner, Dolores feels unmoored after their deaths and journeys to her birthplace in Cali, Colombia, seeking reconnection with her heritage. Throughout her travels, she's guided by the... Read More

This character-heavy cozy gets off to a slow start as author Jo Nichols introduces its many characters. The intrepid narrators, Meg Price and Jim Meskimen, take some time to settle into the particular personalities and voices of the 14 people they portray, becoming more engaging as the story moves forward. Each chapter features a different character. Sometimes they're linked to... Read More

David Potter has written a straight-ahead biography of Julius Caesar with a coda about his posthumous influence, and Graham Winton gives a correspondingly straight-ahead performance of both. His voice is pleasantly serviceable, and he generally conveys meaning accurately in his tone, emphasis, and phrasing. Overall, he delivers the sense of the text in a way that's congenial... Read More

Two men from the basketball pantheon team up to deliver these biographical portraits that are less a ranking and more a snapshot of their game. Smith, a longtime sportswriter, and Jackson, the venerable coach and "Zen master," work in tandem narrating their writing. Nayib Felix sets the tone with the introductory part of each player's bio, then Smith and Jackson each weigh in... Read More

Narrators Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Summers unfold this story of a romance between alpha werewolf and innkeeper Hunter Barrett and omega werewolf and contractor Tess Covington. Tess has come to Colorado to renovate Hunter's inn. Hunter had his heart broken by an omega, so he is wary of Tess. Shedlock handles all the male voices as well the narration from Hunter's point of... Read More

Chef Paul Delamare is back for a second helping of mystery in this action-packed adventure. Narrator Sebastian Humphreys brings sparkle to his portrayal of the perpetually down-on-his-luck chef whose house has just been flooded when he receives an invitation from an old friend. After joining Parisian socialite Xéra on her honeymoon cruise across the Atlantic in a superyacht,... Read More

With a hint of a drawl, narrator Abigail Reno transports the listener to Texas. While Brodie Carter has been in town only a few months, he now owns an organic farm next to Audrey Ross's farm. In fact, Brodie's property used to belong to Audrey's family, and she wants it back. It doesn't help their complicated relationship that she dislikes him--but is attracted to him, too.... Read More

In a warm, gentle tone, Saskia Maarleveld narrates this debut story about magic and family. Thirteen-year-old Lavender has been experiencing memory problems; she must find a solution before her father removes her as his apothecary apprentice. What's especially bothering Lavender is her inability to remember her beloved mother, who passed away. Against the wishes of her father... Read More

Together, six narrators create a captivating audiobook production, instilling humanity into a story where listeners might believe there is none left. Silber's novel, focusing on a cast of characters whose lives were all touched by one man's overdose in 1970s New York City, paints a sweeping picture of the social and political circumstances that influenced his drug use. From the... Read More

This festive audiobook reminds listeners that Christmas can be a time of peace and joy--or a time of distraction and family strife. Caroline Hewitt portrays Merry, a 55-year-old woman who is navigating a tumultuous Christmas season when she learns she has a nodule on her lung. As Merry searches for her Christmas spirit--both figuratively and literally--listeners will find... Read More

Narrator Malcolm Hillgartner excels at portraying Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein as they race to thwart a Nazi terrorist plot. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, this historical thriller provides a chilling window onto America on the brink of WWII. Listeners also get to hear Hillgartner bring to life Douglas Fairbanks, Paulette Goddard, and a full complement of American and German... Read More

Aysha Kala crafts a delicate performance surrounding a surprisingly complex story about a carousel. The carousel, originally built in 1900s Paris, is shrouded in a mystery and linked to a history of missing children. Kala narrates as Maisie, an immigrant just arriving in Chicago in 1920, uncovers the dark secret of said carousel alongside Det. Laurent. Kala's elegant narration... Read More

A detective story set primarily in Incheon, South Korea, finds a vampire preying upon a rehab hospital as an angel of death. Originally written in Korean, this novel, superbly narrated by Rosa Escoda, reflects themes of loneliness relating to old age, addiction, and solitude. A string of apparent suicides at the hospital catches the attention of Suyeon, a young detective. She... Read More

The best ghost stories are meant to be read aloud. Here, the author and eight top-flight voice talents deliver the tense, devastating, chilling, and often brutal tones expressed in these 21 contemporary horror tales. Soneela Nankani nonchalantly tells of beaten corpses in "Ffuns." The terror in Lynette Freeman's voice when an old boyfriend keeps reappearing in "He Used to Scare... Read More

Narrator Greta Jung deftly brings this collection of Korean ghost stories to life, creating a compelling listening experience. At a research institute, a night-shift worker catalogs the supernatural histories of various objects and people--for example, a handkerchief tied to a fierce sibling rivalry and a stolen sneaker seeking revenge. In one tale, the institute's deputy... Read More

Seven talented narrators deliver Shusterman's compelling science fiction stories, which include two new ones from the popular "Arc of the Scythe" series. The works provide introductions to new worlds and are loosely grouped into two categories: strange and terrifying beings and personal transformations. Shusterman; his son, Brendan; and the other narrators alternate, portraying... Read More

Vikas Adam's excellent narration gives personality and distinction to the characters in this audiobook. Several members of the queer rights organization called the Mattachine Society have disappeared, and Private Investigator Evander "Andy" Mills is hired to find them. When Andy's investigation takes him to the psychiatric clinic where his mother works, he must confront her and... Read More

Brisk, fluent, pleasing to the ear, Emma Gregory's narration does justice to a fine historian and her landmark biography of one of Britain's most misunderstood rulers. On the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, Scotland's James VI became England's James I, first in the Stuart line. James was one of Britain's most intelligent and energetic rulers, and one the most complex. Today he is... Read More

A former high-level U.S. policy executive explains how faulty economic statistics are preventing powerful policymakers from seeing what's happening on the ground: Many citizens are falling behind economically and losing hope they'll ever catch up. John Hopkinson skillfully moderates the author's indignation about these realities. With hushed intensity and a solid connection to... Read More

Lucy Scott never disappoints with her pitch-perfect narration of this classic novel from the renowned Victorian author known as Mrs. Oliphant. Lucilla Marjoribanks has been described as the literary link between Austen's Emma and Eliot's Dorothea. In this story of small-town gossip, romance, and intrigue, Scott copes admirably with a range of voices--male and female, young and... Read More

Cassandra Campbell and Michael Crouch shine with their perfectly paced narrations of this engaging listen, inspired by a true story. Crouch portrays Harry Widener, a young bookseller who died on the Titanic. Historical lore suggests that he lost his life trying to save a priceless work. Decades later, Violet Hutchins, a student at Harvard, voiced by Campbell, finds herself... Read More

Narrator Sunny Lu creates a passionate voice for seventh grader Luna in this coming-of-age realistic fiction. Luna leaves her introverted life behind when she becomes a bibliotherapist for her fellow classmates, recommending books to help them in times of need and eventually writing her own zines with the assistance of her best friend, Scott. Lu perfectly captures Luna's... Read More

Eric Priessman presents this mystery, set in Maryland. After 14-year-old Julie Morgan and her twin sister, Heather, have an argument, Julie heads to school alone. When she never arrives, Jim Brady, a 12-year veteran police officer and longtime resident of Morgan's Landing, is called into action. His dedication and kindness are movingly rendered. Priessman is at his best when... Read More

Tim Campbell's sonorous voice is a splendid match for Wellerstein's account of the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Wellerstein, a scholar of the history of nuclear weapons and the creator of the website NUKEMAP, delves deep into American nuclear policy. His conclusion is that President Harry S. Truman was almost entirely out of the decision loop. After the... Read More

This powerful audiobook examines Russia from the points of view of its women. Author and narrator Julia Ioffe's in-depth research and personal connection to the material make this a particularly compelling listen. Featuring Russian people such as her own great-grandmother and others alongside revolutionary icons like Alexandra Kollontai and dissidents like Pussy Riot and Yulia... Read More

Petrea Burchard's portrayal of Mrs. Plansky brings to life a believable and endearing character. Listeners will feel like they've met the witty, athletic 70-year-old before. A widow who is caring for her 90-something father, Mrs. Plansky embarks on a daring mission to solve the kidnapping of her son and her tennis partner, who is also her love interest. Burchard's... Read More

Sir Derek Jacobi and Joe Jameson's stellar performances add sparkle and verisimilitude to this delightful locked-room mystery. The first adult book by Montgomery, an award-winning children's book author, is set in a Cornish manor house during the 1910 passing of Halley's Comet. Jacobi sets the semiserious tone with resonant action updates and intense performances of yesteryear... Read More

In the mid-19th century, a young man named Ben flees troubles at home in London's East End, only to find himself embroiled in murder and mayhem in Constantinople. There he meets a wide cast of characters who both help and hinder as he tries to uncover the truth behind a series of unexplained deaths. Liam Gerrard's steady narration balances Ben's naïveté and surprisingly capable... Read More

In this mystery set in 1940s Osaka, Japan, listeners follow the once-prominent Omari family as their business declines during WWII. Their struggles are compounded when a series of family members are murdered, which baffles the local police. David Shih's skilled narration creates the perfect atmosphere for this tale, which combines evocative insight into the period with a... Read More

This full-cast production offers some great listening. Detective Midge McGowan is dismayed by her coworkers' retirement gift--a ticket to a weekend haunted house tour. Encouraged by her wife to attend, she reluctantly agrees. Other attendees include a married couple, a pop diva, a ghost-obsessed podcaster, the bus driver, and the owner of the tour, who is a former police... Read More

Lucy Walker-Evans impeccably presents this look at 1810 Oxford. Cascabel Gray poses as her brother in order to study medicine under kindly Scottish surgeon Knox. But when a blackmailer is murdered, Cascabel finds herself a suspect and joins the dangerous Oxford Rogues Club to investigate and save herself. In the midst of all this, Cascabel also meets and falls in love with deaf... Read More

Listeners will appreciate the family dynamics and the festive descriptions of Europe during the holidays in this audiobook, narrated by Dominique Salvacion and Daniel Henning. Audrey and Ian haven't spoken in years, not since Audrey divorced her husband, Beau, only to watch Ian then marry Beau. When Audrey's daughter, who is also Ian's stepdaughter, plans a Christmas wedding in... Read More

Listeners are introduced to a large group of characters as the layers of an elaborate con unfold. In 1884, Alice, known in New York City as the Grand Duchess of Würrtemberg, is going to exact revenge upon the five robber barons who ruined her father and, consequently, her whole family. Narrator Megan Trout reveals Alice's plan and crew at a leisurely pace that allows listeners... Read More

Joy Osmanski provides a steady, clear narration of this poignant audiobook involving interrelated characters and far-flung places. In 1998, Mimi Truang is separated from her infant daughter, Kit, in the Philadelphia airport on her way home to Vietnam. Seventeen years later, Kit, who has been adopted by white parents, is preparing for summer travels to Japan, and her friend... Read More

Narrator Shayna Small is excellent as she portrays Leena, a 16-year-old girl who is being raised by her single mother, Asiyah. Leena has always dreamed of being part of a big family, but so far her family is just two people. When an unexpected phone call reveals that she has a Muslim grandfather and great-aunt, Leena is forced to rethink everything about her identity and... Read More

Laura Knight Keating opens this audiobook in a sarcastic tone that continues throughout. She describes its content: presentations given by animals about animals instead of the typical boring reports given by humans who "only look at things through their own human eyes." With well-chosen accents and expressive vocal posturing, Keating smoothly portrays 18 unique animal... Read More

Ari Fliakos' skillful narration reflects the tone of this audiobook: serious, intentional, and thought provoking. The national discourse about who best represents the current voting electorate typically oversimplies the geography, looking at it as "red states" and "blue states." But Woodard's research reveals a different kind of cultural history and understanding of what it... Read More

In this sweeping overview of recent research, an environmental neuroscientist explains how humans are wired to benefit from exposure to nature--or even to artificial elements that resemble it. Beyond boosting mood and happiness, spending peaceful moments outdoors, studies show, enhances physical health, emotional resilience, mental performance, and the quality of our attention.... Read More

Chef and author Gabrielle Hamilton expertly narrates her memoir about her family of origin. The youngest of five children, she grew up with an aloof mother and a charming but absent father. Now middle-aged, Hamilton has been estranged from her mother for roughly 30 years. The suicide of her oldest brother, Jeffrey, prompted her to reconnect with her mother in hopes of... Read More

In this fascinating mystery, a late-night radio host's worst fear comes true. Narrators Helen Laser and Will Collyer keep listeners engrossed, Laser in particular, as Nola Strate realizes that the serial killer who murdered her babysitter--and almost murdered her--might be back after more than a decade. Is she actually seeing the masked killer stalking her, or is her... Read More

Masterful narrators add emotional depth and nuance to Lorena Hughes' arresting story. Set in Quito, Ecuador, the novel unfolds across a dual timeline as Hughes explores the complicated friendship between Alicia and Marisa, two women who love the same man. First, simmering tension erupts during the 1949 riots sparked by the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast. Then, the... Read More

As an audiobook author, historian Matthew Restall is spirited, witty, highly informed, and full of insights and revelations. As a narrator, he's more subdued, even a bit flat. But no matter. Restall's steady, evenhanded narration reenforces the balance and objectivity of his history of the "nine lives of Christopher Columbus." Over five centuries, Columbus has been hailed and... Read More

Dual timelines and dual points of view in this audiobook introduce listeners to two children as they work to save the people and things that mean the most to them. Brian Nishii's authentic accent adds to his portrayal of Han Yu, whose only skill in 731 China, making steamed buns, leaves him few options when his family is quarantined from a terrible illness. Sura Siu expresses... Read More

More than 35 hours long, this comprehensive biography of Random House founder Bennett Cerf is equal to a workweek for many listeners. Cerf nurtured a roster of the 20th century's most consequential authors and was nationally known as a television panelist. His story is a fascinating panorama of American arts and society over 50 years, scrupulously researched but overburdened... Read More

Listeners are drawn into a complex story with two time frames. Part of it takes place in Leonardo da Vinci's world, and part of it in the world of today. The narrators capture the characters' essences. Scarlett, a scientist, and Artie, an art historian, are hired by a nefarious millionaire to authenticate a secret collection of paintings and papers, including the notebooks of... Read More

Narrator Georgina Sadler brings nuance to this contemporary romance between a successful American debut novelist and a British actor on the verge of superstardom. On a flight after a wild night out, Sage awkwardly flirts with Theo, who is sitting across the aisle. After attending a party together, Theo ghosts her. But when Sage travels to a small Scottish village to work on her... Read More

Independent journalist Josiah Hesse takes on the religious right in this harrowing memoir of growing up in 1980s-90s Mason City, Iowa. As corporate farming caused the collapse of family farms and evangelical churches were succumbing to what he describes as the destructive corruption of the prosperity gospel, his family disintegrated into a vicious cycle of poverty, shame,... Read More

Gunnar Cauthery does a solid job narrating this memoir by Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Norway. Like so many political memoirs, this one is filled with places, events, big-name personas, and self-justification. It seems that Stoltenberg inhabits something of a bubble, though. Cauthery's pacing, pronunciation, and expression are precise and... Read More

This audiobook blends manifesto, memoir, and myth. It alternates between first-person reflections from English author Winterson and performances of the stories of One Thousand and One Nights in English Iranian narrator Dana Haqjoo's deep, rich voice. They are linked by the conceit that clever bride Shahrazad spins each tale to her royal husband, who promised to kill her when... Read More

Caroline Ford immerses listeners in a journey through grief and self-examination in Buckley's latest novel. Mourning the passing of her father, Teresa returns to the small Greek village she visited when her mother died nine years earlier. Ford's British accent is smooth and consistent as she weaves the past and the present with journal entries in this stream-of-consciousness... Read More

Kerry Hutchinson's quick delivery and British accent ensure that listeners will enjoy Royal Marine Farthing's true and inspirational story about saving stray dogs while serving in Afghanistan. When Hutchinson recounts the author's experiences and concern for the dogs of Now Zad, it's both heartrending and hopeful. Memories of these dogs--how some were saved and loved, and some... Read More

The gravitas of narrators Dan Chaon, John Pirhalla, and Stephanie Németh-Parker works well with this novel's well-balanced use of description and early-20th-century dialogue. Fleeing their psychopathic uncle, twins with telepathic powers run away and join the circus. There, they find a haven among its unique denizens. But their happiness is threatened when Uncle Charlie sets... Read More

Scott Dikkers, former editor and owner of "The Onion," narrates his history of the beloved humor magazine. Fans will enjoy the classic headlines and backstory. With its anecdotes of childhood secrets (the time he crawled to school); family mental illness; employment experiences, including the jobs he didn't get; complex medical conditions; and the years spent away from the... Read More

Jennifer Jill Araya's bright tone and dynamic pacing pair well with Vincent's accessible prose to engage listeners. The audiobook is not quite as dramatic as its title implies, serving instead as an introduction to the art form that highlights occasional industry controversies. However, Vincent does make a strong case for opera as a living genre, arguing that newcomers should... Read More

Frankie Corzo's performance is perfect for this beautifully written novel. Inés, the youngest of four sisters, wants more for her life than what seems inevitable. Deeply in love with Alessandro, a well-known ne'er-do-well, she is warned against marrying him, but she persists. Corzo makes their honeymoon in Italy sound magical, but it's not long before reality intervenes. "While... Read More

Heller's penchant for salt-of-the-earth characters is reflected in Kate Marcin's narration. On an Edenic homestead in Vermont, Frith, a wild girl, is living an unconventional childhood with her bohemian mother, Hayley, a former academic, and their dog, Bear. They support themselves through picking their apples in the fall and tapping their maples in the spring. Marcin balances... Read More

The rich Midwestern soil once only gave life; now it brings death. All-Star narrators Scott Brick and George Newbern bring compassion and rage in dual timelines featuring Jake, a sick, drug-addicted, and suicidal farmer whose modern farming techniques in the Oklahoma panhandle are killing him. Brick passionately describes the horror and grief following the death of Jake's... Read More

Kristin Atherton narrates the story of Grace, a young woman who is isolated at her unpleasant aunt's rambling English mansion at the close of the Victorian era. Grace's obsession with secretly painting perfect copies of famous works of art is interrupted when a man claiming to be her long-lost cousin Charles arrives to claim his inheritance. Atherton portrays the self-possessed... Read More

Listeners who loved the author's Lightlark series will be delighted with this audiobook, which peeks into Oro's past, along with his romance with Isla. As the story is told in scenes that take place over hundreds of years, listeners will experience Oro's painful history, his desire to be accepted by his family, and even his early friendship with Grim. Chase Brown's narration... Read More

Narrator Raffa Virago's delivery is so on point for this story's main character that listeners may forget she's not actually a second-generation Canadian tween who is wracked with the jealousies, fantasies, and mortifications of growing up. The audiobook shares 100 anecdotes from the life of Alma Alt, from age five into adulthood, including an event at age 14 that the first... Read More

Stephanie MacGaraidh brings out the grit in this disturbing novel about an amnesiac young woman that explores themes of identity, memory, and morality. Mary Lamb has no knowledge of who she is and finds herself at the mercy of one unsavory character after another. MacGaraidh shifts with ease between Mary's fragile perspective and that of an unnamed, observing narrator, whose... Read More

Skilled narrator Clare Corbett delivers an in-depth study of frenemies Sookie, a total narcissist, and Ruth, her former classmate--and a woman no one should have as a confidante. The writing is clever, and the literary style urbane. The listener needs to pay close attention to the nuanced dialogue and the malicious asides that convey the true nature of Ruth, snake in the grass... Read More

Narrator Tanya Eby portrays four women who are brought back together after a chance meeting. Ava was supposed to adopt Cindy's daughter, Shannon, but Cindy kept her. Ava ended up adopting Victoria. Years later, the four encounter each other. Victoria has a strained relationship with her mother, Ava, and Eby adds tension to her voice as the two interact. Shannon and Cindy have a... Read More

Woodson narrates her picture book with sure timing and emotional stresses that increase the story's poignancy. Woodson voices the confusion and innocence of viewpoint character Johnson. This contrasts with the prickly, defensive attitude of his older sister, Beebee. Eventually the children are taken to their Gracie Aunt, an unfamiliar relative. Woodson expresses Gracie's warmth... Read More

With a hint of an old-time Western twang, narrator Stephanie Cannon easily coaxes the listener into this sweeping, multilayered yarn that unabashedly mixes the worlds of graphic novels, high fantasy, time travel, frontier history, and the author's own "Pandominion" multiverse into an entertaining space-opera stew. When a young schoolmistress sees her best friend murdered and... Read More

With a bright, youthful tone, narrator Rachel Jacobs voices innocent 12-year-old Razzi. Razzi has lived her entire life in an old compound--or mansion--with her parents, brother, and a few other families. She and the other children have never been allowed to go outside because nearly all of mankind was eliminated after the "Great Poisoning." However, a traumatic medical episode... Read More

Eva Kaminsky flawlessly introduces this charming slow-burn love story and its relatable characters. Ingrid and her boyfriend of 11 years take a month off to date others before marrying. Bubbly Ingrid plans to date her grumpy longtime coworker Macon--both are impressively portrayed--but he resists her persistent overtures. Every challenging month of the year is cleverly... Read More

John Pirhalla's narration brings gritty nuances to an intriguing character-driven space opera. Carson Flint--formerly a soldier, now a saloon owner--is bored. But when a spy and a war criminal show up, his life becomes more exciting than he bargained for. Pirhalla's distinct characterizations help listeners track a cast of varied characters. His pacing supports the story's noir... Read More